PROPER 10
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pray as a little child. The Spirit who adopts us as children of God enables us to pray with confidence to our heavenly Parent, with all the ease and familiarity of small children to earthly parents.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Persistent Word-Creator, patient Teacher, persuasive Spirit, you are tireless in speaking to us, but we find it easy to close our minds, to refuse to hear what would require growth and painful change, to reject the truth because it is inconvenient. Forgive deliberate denseness of mind, fearful resistance to change, stubborn insistence that our way is the best way. Continue your speaking until we hear. Try new parables on us until we think and understand. Argue with us until we do your will. What else will your love in Christ allow you to do? Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! All who are moved by the Spirit of God are children of God and heirs of God's splendor with Jesus Christ. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Do not be content simply to do what comes naturally. Live on the spiritual level as a Christian in whom Christ dwells by the Spirit.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of mystery, Sharer of Divine Secrets, Spirit of God's whole family, enable us to hear what you speak, to see what you disclose, to respond as to a parent in our prayers, that we may be strengthened to share the suffering of Christ, our brother, and live free from fear until the day of splendor comes. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Creator of the visible and the invisible, divine Deliverer, life-sustaining Spirit, all that is depends upon you and rejoices in your praise. You blot out our sins and free us to live as your children in love and helpfulness. Your Spirit both inspires our prayers and promotes our growth in Christ. All whom you deliver from sin and death praise you in your household. We especially rejoice in the reassuring voice of the Spirit, calling us into one loving family with you, Father, Son and Mothering Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Holy Parent, you relieve us from the burden of our guilt and save us from the loneliness that isolates us from others and from you. With these our offerings, we pledge our vows of service in the company of this holy family, in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PSALM 119:105-112
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O LORD, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD,
and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever,
to the end.
Pray as a little child. The Spirit who adopts us as children of God enables us to pray with confidence to our heavenly Parent, with all the ease and familiarity of small children to earthly parents.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Persistent Word-Creator, patient Teacher, persuasive Spirit, you are tireless in speaking to us, but we find it easy to close our minds, to refuse to hear what would require growth and painful change, to reject the truth because it is inconvenient. Forgive deliberate denseness of mind, fearful resistance to change, stubborn insistence that our way is the best way. Continue your speaking until we hear. Try new parables on us until we think and understand. Argue with us until we do your will. What else will your love in Christ allow you to do? Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! All who are moved by the Spirit of God are children of God and heirs of God's splendor with Jesus Christ. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Do not be content simply to do what comes naturally. Live on the spiritual level as a Christian in whom Christ dwells by the Spirit.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of mystery, Sharer of Divine Secrets, Spirit of God's whole family, enable us to hear what you speak, to see what you disclose, to respond as to a parent in our prayers, that we may be strengthened to share the suffering of Christ, our brother, and live free from fear until the day of splendor comes. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Creator of the visible and the invisible, divine Deliverer, life-sustaining Spirit, all that is depends upon you and rejoices in your praise. You blot out our sins and free us to live as your children in love and helpfulness. Your Spirit both inspires our prayers and promotes our growth in Christ. All whom you deliver from sin and death praise you in your household. We especially rejoice in the reassuring voice of the Spirit, calling us into one loving family with you, Father, Son and Mothering Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Holy Parent, you relieve us from the burden of our guilt and save us from the loneliness that isolates us from others and from you. With these our offerings, we pledge our vows of service in the company of this holy family, in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PSALM 119:105-112
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O LORD, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD,
and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever,
to the end.
